Figure 7. CTRP9 Overexpression Enhances Features of Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability. ApoE-/- mice were injected with AAV-CTRP9 and AAV-GFP (Control) through tail vein and fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Representative images of the aortic root lesion area stained with HE (a) and Sirius Red (b). Immunofluorescence staining and Immunohistochemistry showing the expression of MYH11(c) and RIP3 (d) in atherosclerotic plaques. (e) Western blotting was performed to examine the protein levels of CTRP9, MLKL, p-MLKL, RIP3, RIP1 and p-RIP1. (f) Quantitative analysis of CTRP9 and necroptosis-associated protein expression. (g) Real-time PCR analysis of the mRNA levels of atherosclerosis-related inflammatory factors. Data are presented as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001 vs. the control group.